TOPLINE
Not a sporting enthusiast myself, though I rode a bike to primary school, my attention was drawn to cycling by an Italian friend in the 1960's, who was passionate about the the Tour de France.
I have often wondered why cycling is not more popular here - either as a sport [racing], touring [like motor bike clubs], or simply cycling to the shops and back, or work and back if one lives close enough.
With the car ruling the road, more safe cycling paths are needed if cycling is to become safe and convenient.
I hope everyone watched the Cars that Ate China last night on the ABC! And the 4 Corners Program that followed!
Fergie BOTTOMLINE
On car parks!
In case you hadn't noticed, there is now a general consensus that green house gases are a problem!!
So why are you advocating more car parking spaces. If we are to reduce green house gas then we need LESS cars not more.
Improving public transport in the Illawarra would not only reduce green house gas but would save people lots and lots of money. Road maintenance costs would be significantly reduced. The capital expenditure on car parks could be put into to park and ride facilities and more buses. None of this is new !!
I try to use public transport when ever I can. The problem with it at the moment, in Wollongong, is that there is NO integration. Buses are not coordinated with trains.
Many European cities also have bicycle ways and park and ride bikes. If you are committed to growth in the Illawarra then providing an attractive, easy to use public transport system is one way to do it !!
Tom Hadley More from the northern burb’s …
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG
25 July 2008
Kerbing in the areas of Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops, Stanwell Park, Otford are not worn out. They've just never been built. For our incredible expensive rates all we get is a garbage pick up once a week. Anything else we have to ring for, including rangers. We've even been stripped of our Council landcare workers, which we only just got. They have not been taken from anywhere else in the local government area.
Former Councillors from years ago, seemed to think rich people live up here, so hence we now have in place some sort of extremely discriminatory rating system from about 17 years ago. This is where for some unaccountable reason we have to pay an extra 50% on the residential base. Down south they pay 100 % but that doesn't mean double, the !00% equals the flat residential rate, in other words, zero extra. Ours is basically all up 150%. This now needs an investigation since it is obviously bias and sending average ratepayers to the wall.
The deemed "failed financial software program" that cost ratepayers in the vicinity of $4 million under the previous senior management can't be blamed. It was designed to track down where every dollar went in Council. It works successfully around the world, just not in the Gong. At the end of the day, one realises who was responsible for this woeful financial state of affairs who worked in the Oxley administration.
Council correct me if I'm wrong. THE END OF MORALITY
29 July 2008
In regards, to Noreen Hays being cleared, again.
This shows the limitation of ICAC and this inquiry. The ICAC unfortunately dealt only within the parameters of the inner sanctum of Wollongong Council. So that is all they look at.
It could have covered such meetings as in the Hays office, if Frank Gigliotti had come forward with his concerns when they happened. He apparently did not. Yet, interestingly, he was filmed doing the case of whisky in the back of Youans vehicle. This was applicable, so why was the Hays meeting with the suggested overtones, as claimed, not?
Therein lies the faults in ICAC and the book of rules.
But there is one question that should be asked of MPs, and any Government official, why aren’t minutes taken? Or any meeting recorded to be certain of what is said? Today’s technology can do this.
It would certainly end the “who remembered what, word against word” that brings complete distrust on the public's part.
Indeed would this not go a long way to remove any suggestion of corruption?
Until such times, there will always be doubt in any Government, and the end of morality. Alan (Richard) Bond | 
